Giving Options Summary Chart

The chart below provides a summary comparison of the major types of charitable giving options. The chart is meant to offer basic summary information, and is not a substitute for professional counsel "” we encourage you to discuss details with your professional advisors.

3. A restricted gift can be confined to the stated purpose, but the donor relinquishes control of the investments and its disposition. A donor advised fund permits the donor to make recommendations subject to the ultimate control of the community foundation.

4. Except when you create an endowment.

5. Any citizen may be elected or appointed to the board of any public charity. The donor gift does not guarantee such an outcome except in the case of supporting organizations.

6. Giving circles vary in requirements for involvement and in management structure and cost.

7. Community foundations often assess a management or administrative fee.

8. Excess in any year's donations can be carried forward for five years.

9. Except for gifts of publicly traded stock, the deductible value of lifetime gifts of closely held stock or real property is limited to tax basis, which is generally cost.

10. Corporate foundations must pay the same excise tax as any private foundation.